New faculty bring wealth of experience from classroom, workforce
By IU Indianapolis Today
September 04, 2024
The fall semester is a time to welcome a new class of students, and a new cohort of faculty to campus. IU Indianapolis Today talked to three new faculty members who bring experience teaching at universities in other parts of the country and world, as well as experience in the workforce, to their students and the campus. They shared their inspirations and why they decided to teach at IU Indianapolis.
Ahmed Fahim
Lecturer in the School of Science
Fahim holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from October 6 University in Cairo, Egypt, a Healthcare Quality Management Diploma from Cambridge Training College Britain, and a master’s degree in biology from IU’s Indianapolis campus.
His medical experience includes serving as a general physician in several hospitals in Cairo, where he coordinated patient care and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams. He also worked as a medical interpreter for LUNA Language Services and the Qatar Embassy. His expertise spans medical interpreting, health care management, curriculum development and patient care coordination.
Question: What inspired you to pursue your area of expertise?
Answer: A combination of my innate curiosity, a passion for helping others and a deep love for challenges. From a young age, I was fascinated by the complexities of the human body and driven to excel in my field. I have always sought out challenges because they push me to grow mentally and develop new skills. Medicine and biology have provided me with the perfect platform for this growth, presenting constant opportunities to solve complex problems and make meaningful contributions.
My undergraduate studies in medicine solidified my desire to delve deeper into health care, and my experiences as a physician allowed me to witness the profound impact of skilled medical care. Working as a medical interpreter exposed me to diverse patient cases and highlighted the importance of effective communication in health care.
My academic journey, culminating in a master’s degree in biology, allowed me to explore neurological conditions like epilepsy and opened up new avenues for therapeutic interventions. Overall, my career path has been driven by a desire to embrace challenges, be the best in my field, and make a lasting positive impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities.
Q: What appealed to you about teaching at the School of Science?
A: The opportunity to engage with a diverse group of students and colleagues who share a passion for discovery and learning. The dynamic environment of the School of Science fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, which aligns perfectly with my commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Also, the opportunity to engage with students and see their “a-ha” moments when they finally understand a difficult topic through a well-crafted illustration or diagram is incredibly rewarding.
Q: What do you like most about the Indianapolis campus?
A: As an immigrant, what I appreciate most about the Indianapolis campus is its strong emphasis on diversity, inclusion and the robust support system from faculty members. The welcoming atmosphere makes it easier for students from various backgrounds to integrate and thrive academically and socially. Additionally, Indianapolis is a major hub for some of the most important companies, providing ample opportunities for internships, networking and career advancement.
Mohammad Hossain
Professor in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering
He taught as an assistant professor and associate professor at the University of Minnesota Crookston after earning a Ph.D. from North Dakota State University. Before joining academia, Hossain worked in the industry in various capacities related to software engineering, software development and database administration.
Q: What inspired you to pursue your area of expertise?
A: Computer science has a deep and wide-ranging positive impact on society, shaping various sectors and enhancing lives in many ways. Key areas where computer science makes significant contributions include health care, education, e-commerce, communication and security, among others. That inspired me to pursue computer science to have a positive contribution to society.
Q: What appealed to you about teaching at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering?
A: The Luddy School aims to excel in education, research and outreach across the full spectrum of computing and information technology, including core sciences, applications and societal impacts. It offers diverse programs in informatics and computer science and conducts broad research in these areas. The school’s commitment to diversity enhances innovation, creativity and scholarship, which also inspired me to teach here.
Q: How do you hope to impact students?
A: I want to have a positive impact on the students not just by giving them the best teaching in the classroom, but also by guiding them how to be successful in the field of computer science as they choose their career path after they graduate.
Chinedum Ojinnaka
Associate professor in the Fairbanks School of Public Health
Ojinnaka trained as a physician and practiced briefly in her home country of Nigeria. She earned a master’s degree in health policy and management and a Ph.D. in health services research at Texas A&M University. Her post-doctoral training was at the University of Missouri and primarily focused on exploring food insecurity and health care use using administrative claims data. Before joining IU Indianapolis, she was an assistant professor in the biomedical informatics program at Arizona State University.
Q: What inspired you to pursue your area of expertise?
A: I was inspired to pursue a degree in public health during my community health clinical postings and field trips. I was fascinated by the role of the public health workforce in improving health-related knowledge, health-seeking behavior and health outcomes among community members. I was also inspired by how public health research and practice could inform policies and advocacy.
Q: What appealed to you about teaching at the Fairbanks School of Public Health?
A: The school’s focus on providing educational opportunities for students at different stages of life.
Q: How do you hope to impact students?
A: I hope that my interaction with students will increase their understanding of the critical role of public health in ensuring healthy individuals and communities, and the importance of understanding and addressing drivers of health inequities.